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2021 MLB Season Preview: World Series Predictions, Burning Questions & More



By BA Staff
on March 30, 2021

Baseball America's annual MLB Season Preview has returned!

Below, The Baseball America editorial team predicted the order of finish, postseason participants and award winners for the 2021 season, plus answered 10 burning questions facing baseball this year. As always, you can also find all of our 2021 prospects coverage here.

You can find our team-by-team capsules here.

2021 MLB Standings Predictions
NL EastNL CentralNL West
1. Atlanta Braves1. St. Louis Cardinals1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. New York Mets2. Milwaukee Brewers2. San Diego Padres
3. Washington Nationals3. Chicago Cubs3. San Francisco Giants
4. Philadelphia Phillies4. Cincinnati Reds4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. Miami Marlins5. Pittsburgh Pirates5. Colorado Rockies
AL EastAL CentralAL West
1. New York Yankees1. Chicago White Sox1. Houston Astros
2. Tampa Bay Rays2. Minnesota Twins2. Oakland Athletics
3. Toronto Blue Jays3. Cleveland Indians3. Los Angeles Angels
4. Boston Red Sox4. Kansas City Royals4. Seattle Mariners
5. Baltimore Orioles5. Detroit Tigers5. Texas Rangers

National League Postseason And Awards

Wild Cards: San Diego Padres, New York Mets
Pennant: Los Angeles Dodgers

MVP

  1. Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
  2. Ronald Acuña Jr.., Braves
  3. Juan Soto, Nationals

Cy Young

  1. Walker Buehler, Dodgers
  2. Jacob deGrom, Mets
  3. Luis Castillo, Reds

Rookie of the Year

  1. Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pirates
  2. Dylan Carlson, Cardinals
  3. Sixto Sanchez, Marlins

American League Postseason And Awards

Wild Cards: Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays
Pennant: Chicago White Sox

MVP

  1. Mike Trout, Angels
  2. Tim Anderson, White Sox
  3. Anthony Rendon, Angels

Cy Young

  1. Gerrit Cole, Yankees
  2. Shane Bieber, Indians
  3. Lucas Giolito, White Sox

Rookie of the Year

  1. Randy Arozarena, Rays
  2. Alex Kirilloff, Twins
  3. Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles

 

WORLD SERIES PREDICTIONS 

Ben Badler: DODGERS defeat Astros in 6 games.

Alexis Brudnicki: DODGERS sweep White Sox in 4 games.

Mark Chiarelli: YANKEES defeat Dodgers in 6 games.

Carlos Collazo: DODGERS defeat Yankees in 5 games.

JJ Cooper: DODGERS defeat Rays in 5 games.

Matt Eddy: DODGERS defeat White Sox in 5 games

Kyle Glaser: DODGERS defeat White Sox in 6 games.

Josh Norris: PADRES defeat White Sox in 7 games

Chris Trenkle: PADRES defeat Yankees in 6 games.

Ohtani Celebration

Shohei Ohtani, Japan Top Team USA To Win World Baseball Classic Championship

Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout for the final out to give Japan a 3-2 win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic championship game.

10 Burning Questions

  1. Which Team Will Be The Biggest Surprise Of 2021? 
  2. Which Team Had The Best Offseason? 
  3. Which Team Had The Most Disappointing Offseason? 
  4. Who Is The Breakout MLB Hitter Of 2021?
  5. Who Is The Breakout MLB Pitcher Of 2021?
  6. Which Player Will Bounce Back In 2021?
  7. The Biggest Storyline Of 2021 Will Be?
  8. The Top Three Picks In The 2022 Draft Will Belong To?
  9. Which Losing, Non-Playoff Team From Last Year Has The Most Upside In 2021?
  10. Who Will Be The Top Rookies In Baseball In 2021?

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